In an effort to keep our community informed of the various goings-on in the land of the LRR, I am starting the LRR Community Update Project: a weekly update on what you may have missed from the expanded LRRosphere. I figure not everyone has time to read the forums, but there’s no reason that should keep anyone from staying informed!

Today’s update will cover the last couple weeks because, being the first of its kind, it seemed fitting.

Blogapalooza 2008

The last couple weeks have been big ones for blogging. James, after attacking the rest of the crew-members with pointy sticks, finally got them off their asses with enough momentum to get to their keyboards; now, he, Graham, Matt and I have all committed to update the blog more frequently. This has also seen the rise of two new “regular” columns: “M@ Movies”, Matt’s semi-regular movie critique series, and the LRR.Community, Update which you are reading now.

Feeling especially inspired, Graham, James and Matt have also started their own private iPhone blogs:

Graham’s blog
James’s blog
Matt’s blog

Aristocratic Profile

Proudfoot published the second installment of his ongoing community profile project this week, this time interviewing semi-regular video contributor Tensen01. The community profile project continues to be an entertaining listen, and comes highly recommended by . . . well, me.

Download the latest episode here!

Love to Hear the LRRies go Tweet-Tweet-Tweet?

Remember Graham’s twitter feed from a while back? Well Matt and James have also started twitter feeds to perpetuate internet stalking and keep you vultures going between blog updates. Honestly, the iPhone may well be the greatest ever advent in LRR community management. You should all thank Apple.

[Update: Graham informs me that he and Matt may not twitter as much anymore now that they have iPhone blogs]

Graham’s twitter
James’s twitter
Matt’s twitter

Mannish Cooking

While it’s been a long while since Morgan put out a Man Cooking short, several of our forum members have decided to fill the void by constructing their own largely substitutes. Check out the thread here, or have a look at Yamaro V2’s Man Cooking Knock-off.

They Really Love Us!

Last week’s two topical LRR videos were not only successful, but apparently flattering! Bungie’s Luke Smith posted a link to The Superintendent’s Sorrow on Bungie.net, while Bizarre Creations‘ Ben Ward sent us a lovely letter with regards to Geometry Wars 2: Developer Spotlight.

While we consider parody and satire to be high forms of flattery, to have such things recognized by the creators of the original works makes me feel all gushy inside.

And thus the circle continues! (cue music)

A Picture is Worth . . . A Forum Rank!

I’m happy to report that King Kool was the winner of our latest LRRcast challenge. This contest, which had our forum members photoshopping green-screened pictures of us into amusing situations generated some fantastic entries, all of which must absolutely be viewed here.

Desert Rumblings

Reisgar42 has announced his intention to run a fan-based Desert Bus elimination tournament. I hope that he knows what he’s getting into, as he could be in for a long slog. I personally see such a venture as intrinsically chess-like, 90% of success in Desert Bus is based on patience in the face of attrition as opposed to skill in the face of adversity. Hopefully, we will hear more on this soon, but in the meantime, check out this thread.

And Finally, On a Related Note

In case you missed it, Graham semi-officially stealth-announced Desert Bus 2 late last night. This comes hot on the heels of the original Desert Bus becoming recognized on the GameMarathons.com as not only the first internet-broadcast gaming marathon, but also the longest and most financially successful (accounting for over half of all game marathon charity earnings so far to date). So begins the ramp-up to an event that will reportedly “surpass the lofty expectations of our community, and the internet as a whole” (quoth I).

Accused of sounding like Bungie, it was suggested that we bring in the Superintendent onboard to help us market Desert Bus 2 . . . but this would be ridiculous, as everyone knows ARGs are for losers.

Cheers and beers, folks!

–Jer out